Indian
Clothing - Shalwar Kameez or Salwar Kameez, Saree & Choli

Western culture is developing a grand love affair with the
distinctive fashion style that is India. Along with Indian
music and spirituality, Indian Clothing is having a huge impact
on the mainstream identities of western style and culture.
The latest designer shows from Armani, Fendi, and Miyake all
draw on elements from the exotic Indian culture. In Paris
Dries Van Noten, one of the new fashion leaders and member
of the so-called Belgian Four, presented a collection of layered
chiffon wraps, dresses, saree, and kurta look-alikes. The
color palette these western designers are drawing from is
as vibrant as a Rajasthan desert at sundown, using rich golds,
reds, and greens.
Indian designers like Sunita Shankar, Vandanna Roy, Ritu Beri,
Monisha Jaising, Ravi Bajaj and Krishna Mehta are leading
the way in redefining Indian fashion. Rohit Bal presented
his latest collection, Sanskrit, at a New York benefit gala
organized by Children's Hope, and stunned the audience with
exquisite embroidery, beadwork, and tie-dye fashions with
a decidedly Indian flair.
Many U.S. design companies are taking Indian fashion and transforming
it for western audiences. Silk Threads in Dallas, TX is a
premier provider of dresses based on Indian design.

About
Traditional Indian Clothing
Indian people express themselves a great deal through their clothing.
Their spiritual quest for perfection plays a role in their
choices of beautifully colored, dramatic, and flowing garments.
The styles speak to the spirit with sumptuous, vibrant colors
woven into the intricate and ornate designs to be found resonating
throughout India.

Shalwar Kameez or Salwar Kameez: Started as an alternative dress form
in Kashmir and Punjab, it has grown in popularity all over
India and in all the muslim countries of the world, especially
with younger women. With Celebrities like Goldie hawn, Sally
field, Hillary Clinton, Jeniffer Lopez and the Late Princess
Diana adorning the Salwar(Shalwar) kameez at high profile events, this
garment is the clearly the current flavour in the West. Salwars
are pajama-like trousers gathered at the waist and ankles,
worn underneath a long, loose tunic known as a kameez.

Some
tips onSalwar Kameez.The kameez should be a little longer
in height. It makes you look taller. If your height is around
5 feet 3 inches then your kameez height should be around 47-
48 inches.

If you have broad shoulders then avoid wearing puffed sleeves.

If you have fat arms and therefore cannot wear sleeveless
then go in for sleeves of about 5 inches length. This will
hide the flab on your arms and your hands will look thinner.

Salwar or shalwar can be worn in many styles. Styles keep changing with
Trends. Recently big bottoms were in fashion and now short
Kurtas Are back in vogue. Keep checking our New
Arrivals - Salwar Kameez section to get A feel of the current trends.

Chudidar looks good on long kameezs or Kurtas.

Avoid wearing them on short Kurtas. Chinese collar (closed
neck) makes you look tall, but avoid it if you have broad
shoulders.

Wear a shalwar around your naval area, as it will pull in your
stomach.

If you have the tie strings on your side, it reduces the look
of the paunch.

Tucks might be out of fashion but they give a very good cut
to the Kameez.

Avoid Organza or any stiff cloth if you want to look slimmer.

Dark colours like maroon, red, blue or brown look very good
on dark women.

Saree
The saree is an extremely versatile garment. It simply consists
of a single, rectangular piece of material, five to six yards
in length, accommodating any size. The style, color, and texture
of this material vary according to region and caste. Different
draping styles convey the status, age, occupation, region,
and/or religion of the wearer.

Buying
a Saree :
Women on heavier side should buy sarees in Georgette, Chiffon
or Chignon. Heavy Mysore Silk saree looks beautiful and one
tends to look slimmer.
Shorter women should buy sarees with small borders or no borders.
They should definitely avoid big borders as big borders make
one look shorter.
Thin woman should buy Organza, Cotton, Tissue and Tussar Saree.
These Sarees gives a fuller effect.
In printed Saree, avoid big prints, as it gives a gaudy and
a huge look.
Delicate print on a Saree, gives a delicate look. Dark skin
color women should generally buy dark colours like maroon,
green, dark pink etc.

Draping
a Saree :
In office Pinup your Saree, this looks smart and is manageable
too.
For an outing or a function, just pinup the tip of the saree
and let the rest fall on your hand. This gives a very graceful
look. But of course the Saree should have a good fall.
Cotton, Tissue or any starched Saree should be ironed properly
and at the time of draping, the pleats should be done with
your hands pressing and shaping it properly.
Put the pin on the back shoulder as this keeps the saree intact
and does not show the pin too.
Don't wear a very flared petticoat inside.

Choli:
The tightly fitted complimentary colored,
short blouse worn under a saree is a choli. Originally, cholis
only covered the front, now they have evolved to include versions
covering front and back to midriff. The traditional form is
still commonly worn in Rajastan.

Lehanga:This is a pleated skirt worn mostly
in Rajastan. Worn with a choli, it is secured at the waist,
leaving the back and midriff bare. A length of fine cotton
called a dupatta, completes the ensemble, covering the head.